Filed under: Hardware, iPod Family, Hacks, Odds and ends
Motion-controlled iPod interface
I don't think the ROKR, or iTunes phone, or video iPod, or even smaller mini's are coming September 7. Nope, I think it's this: a motion-based iPod remote control. Of course, I'm kidding. But such a product is under development by Peter Tyser. Why? Here's what Peter's thinking:"During the cold winter months in Wisconsin, avid iPod users find difficulty in comfortably controlling their MP3 player. In order to manipulate the touch-based iPod controls or Apple’s standard remote control, pockets must be opened and gloves or mittens removed, losing precious heat to the cold. One possible solution would be to use general body motion to control the iPod as opposed to touch. This would require no dexterous tasks, only general movements."Sounds good to me. This also works if your hands are busy (riding a bike) or have trouble with fine motor movement. If Peter's product ever makes it to market maybe he can hire some of those iPod dancers to market it? Imagine strapping a couple of controllers to your wrists, with two iPods, and a portable, battery-powered mixer. DJ Dance Machine!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Harsh said 1:46PM on 9-02-2005
you know how ridiculous you would look by making sudden random hand gestures in the subway? fellow ny'ers will think you're one of the crazies.
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Wheels said 2:12PM on 9-02-2005
"or have trouble with fine motor movement"
The trouble I see if I were to use this, because I have trouble with fine motor skills, is that I'd probably end up confusing the iPod because I'd end up sending out something like 50 commands to the iPod at once! LMAO
Hey, if you can't laugh at yourself, you have no right to laugh at others. And you all are too funny not to be laughed at! =)
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Paul said 2:37PM on 9-02-2005
Im still waiting for the Mind controlled ipod interface. but thanks!
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Callum said 5:54PM on 9-02-2005
my iPod came with a 'remote'. They still make them, right? Good old 3G!
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Thomas said 10:07AM on 9-03-2005
I always have trouble with gloves. Go Peter!!
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justin said 12:50AM on 9-03-2005
or a much easier option is just to get an RF-based remote and keep it in ur glove....
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KTamas said 11:05AM on 9-03-2005
?er-geeky :)
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Zaxxon said 5:28PM on 9-03-2005
Mind controlled interfaces are not so far from being used in things like iPod accessories.
Essentially, the way it's working is that you wear a headband with a few electrodes in them. You take this electric signal, amplify it, remove noise and then feed the signal into an electronic neural network. It may have to be trained so your brain associate nerves activity with the resulting commands, but they could ship it with pre-trained neural nets.
I remember seeing such devices to control cursors on a computer, and even controlling PS1 and n64 games. I remember at the time these were pricey, something like $900. I think those may reach an affordable price in the next few years, and that a mind controlled iPod add-on could be sold today for around $200-300.
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